Major explosion at Kerala Convention Center has taken the death toll to 3 while more than 50 people remain severely injured. This incident has caused fear in the state.
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BLASTS AT CONVENTION CENTER
Major explosions occurred at Zamra International Convention Center during a prayer session of Jehovah’s Witness faithful in Kalamaserry, a town located in Ernakulam district of southern Kerala. According to the local media, the group was having a three-day zonal convention where 2,000 registrations were done. This incident left 3 people dead including a 12-year-old girl who succumbed to her injuries today. Over 50 people were severely injured and were transferred to the Kalamaserry Medical Hospital for appropriate treatment. The massive explosions ripped through the crowded Convention Center causing complete chaos.
As per the local newspaper Mathrubhumi, these blasts occurred inside the Convention Hall seconds after the end of a prayer. T.A. Shreekumar, the regional spokesperson for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, said that the first explosion was in the middle of the hall and after a few seconds two more blasts occurred on both sides of the wall. As soon as the incident occurred the police and the fire rescue personnel reached out in large numbers to evacuate people from the spot.
Visuals of the explosion’s destructive aftermath have created a sense of shock, fear, anguish and anger in Kerala. Various other places in Kerala as well as other places in the country have been put on high alert to prevent a situation like this.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed a team of National Investigating Authority and National Security Guard to start the investigation of blasts at the convention center that killed 3 and left many people injured.
As Per Kerala DGP Shaikh Darvesh Saheb, the preliminary inquiry suggests that the blast was due to an IED. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed for proper investigation. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep sorrow and said that the incident was very unfortunate. He has also called for an all-party meeting to discuss on the developments. Kerala’s health minister has urged government healthcare professionals to report to duty as soon as possible and help in providing high-quality treatment to the victims.
This incident has caused a political clash between various groups. The heat of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict was felt in Kerala. The BJP has linked the incident with the Israel-Palestine crisis. One of its leaders has called for a probe into “terror activities against Christian gatherings”. The CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) have always been in support of the Palestinian cause. In the state, there have been marches to condemn the Israeli aggression in Gaza and declare solidarity with Palestinians.
KOCHI MAN CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXPLOSION
Dominic Martin who was once a member of Jehovah’s Witness has taken responsibility for attacking the Convention Center after failing to bring the religious sect on the right path. As per Mr. Martin, this sect was anti-national.
Through his video posted on social media, he has taken full responsibility for the blasts at the Convention Center. He mentioned in the video that the organization teaches anti-national ideas. In his statement to police, Dominic is assumed to have said that he had learned to make Improvised Explosive Device (IED) with the help of YouTube tutorials. According to the police, Dominic worked as a foreman and hence he knew how to operate these devices. As per the sources, Dominic had placed the bomb along with a bottle filled with petrol and the blast at the convention center was triggered at a distance using a remote
The International Christian denomination, Jehovah’s Witnesses, was founded in the USA around 1870. They are known in various countries for preaching and communicating the gospel which is the message of Jesus. These groups of Christians do not call themselves as Protestants. These conventions are for three days which started on Friday and was supposed to end on Sunday.
